The decorated spearheads demonstrate the Viking’s creative mix of art and war, whereby weapons often carried intricate patterns, created using the “Niello” process. This involved using an alloy of several metals (notably silver) mixed with sulfur which was rubbed into an incised pattern and then fired. Where the alloy is rubbed into the engraving, it remains black while the rest of the surface is polished to a bright finish. Our decorating process uses a little less alchemy, but still provides a lustrous, permanent Niello-like effect. Each spearhead has a shaft diameter of 1”. Spearheads only are supplied. The Viking Thrusting Spear was more commonly used than swords, being much less expensive to produce. The wings or lugs, of Frankish origin, both limited the penetration of the weapon and provided an effective parrying guard. Total head length is 16”.

Made by Hanwei.